State Rep. Dave Severin (R-Benton) today released following statement after the General Assembly failed to pass a balanced budget by the May 31^st deadline:

“I went into this week hoping we could achieve a full-year, truly balanced budget along with real reforms to grow the economy. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen.

“It’s extremely disappointing that instead of focusing on working with us to pass a balanced budget, House Democrats would rather point their fingers at Republicans for their failures. The fact is Democrats have been in charge of both the Senate and House for the past 12 years and in those years they increased spending, raised taxes, raided pensions, and used one-time revenue generating gimmicks to pass these unbalanced budgets. On top of that our revenues have not matched our expenditures for more than 15 years.

“The state is feeling the cost of these failures. We have $130 billion in unfunded pension liabilities, the fifth highest tax burden in the nation, and have lost more residents than any other state for three straight years.

“My Republican colleagues and I have reached across the aisle numerous times, asking for House Democrats to work with us on a balanced budget that will move our state forward. Democrats have flat out ignored our requests.

“It is time we stop the games, time to stop the politics, and stop hurting the people we are sworn to serve. I am looking forward to getting back to the 117^th district to meet with constituents and talk about the many concerns they have surrounding the way session ended in Springfield.”

http://www.sj-r.com/news/20170530/illinois-house-approves-15-minimum-wage

SPRINGFIELD, IL (Brian Robbins, Springfield-Journal Register. Please click on the link above to read the full story.  Here is an excerpt)

A bill that over five years increases Illinois’ minimum wage to $15 an hour was approved Tuesday by the House on a vote of 61-53.

Even though tax credits would be available to businesses with 50 employees or fewer to help cover the costs, opponents say raising the wage to that level would still have a negative effect on the business community.

Illinois’ current $8.25 minimum wage is more than the federally mandated $7.25 an hour.

“If anyone wonders why jobs, economic opportunity and population keep leaving Illinois for other states, look no further than those state lawmakers who are legislating Illinois into a second-tier state for competitiveness,” Maisch said in a written statement. “The Illinois Chamber of Commerce has faith in Illinois’ economic outlook, but state policies cannot continue to make the climate ever tougher on our job creators.”

NOTE:  How local representatives voted on the bill:  Dave Severin (R-Benton) and Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) NO, Brandon Phelps (D -Norris City) YES

http://peoriapublicradio.org/post/legislation-change-gender-birth-certificate-passes-house#stream/0

SPRINGFIELD, IL – (Brian Mackey – WCBU Radio, Peoria.  Click on the link above to read the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

Native Illinoisans would have an easier time changing the gender on their birth certificates, under legislation approved today in the Illinois House.  Under current law, only people who’ve had gender reassignment surgery can ask to change their birth certificates.

Several Republicans disagreed, saying the legislation would make it too easy to change one’s legal gender.  The measure passed narrowly… on a vote of 63 to 43.   It now goes to the Illinois Senate.

NOTE:  Area State Represenatives, Dave Severin (R -Benton), Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) and Brandon Phelps (D-Norris City) all voted against the measure.